Comb



Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a comb, and more particularly to a comb of the type to be used in the various operations performed in thev dressing of hair.

In the art of setting, finger waving, or permanently waving hair, there has long been a need for a single instrument capable of performing the usual functions of a comb and also being suitable for use in separating or sectioning hair, for hair lifting, and as a block or form upon which the hair can be curled. In order to provide a satisfactory hair dress, it is essential that each of the above enumerated operations be carried out successfully. For example, in sectioning or separating should the hair separated become tangled, or should there be too few, or too many strands of hair, the effect of the entire hair dress may be spoiled. The same may be said to be true of the other operations. Further, it is essential that each of the operations be carried out with a minimum of time and effort on the part of an operator, or the individual who is doing the setting.

There are instruments in the art which are allegedly capable of performing some or all of these desired functions, but these have proven to be unsatisfactory because of defects inherent in their design.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a comb which may be used in the normal manner and which includes provisions thereon for performing other operations required in the dressing of hair.

It is another object of the invention to provide a single instrument that can be used to smooth, separate and set the hair in a pleasing fashion with a minimum of effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hair separating or sectioning means combined with a comb which can be used to separate hair without causing tangling of the unsectioned portions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a single instrument having separating or sectioning means thereon that is capable of use as a block for setting the separated portion of hair,

A feature of the invention is the provision of a comb having a single hooked tooth integral with one end of the shank portion of the comb, and extending in a direction opposite to that of the direction of the teeth of the comb.

Other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be appreciated readily as the same becomes understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hair setting operation showing one use of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a second ernbodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of either the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2, or in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a human head having a plurality of curls I set in the hair thereof. Separating and engaging a section of hair 2 is an instrument 3 held in the hand 4 of an operator. The instrument 3 may also be used by a person for setting her own hair.

Adverting now to Fig. 2, the instrument 3 comprises a comb having a shank portion 6 by which it is held. Supported in shank portion 6, and integral therewith, are a plurality of nely-divided, evenly spaced teeth 8 adjacent a plurality of coarsely divided. evenly spaced teeth 9. If desired, in place of having two sections 8 and 9 of nely divided and coarsely divided teeth respectively, the teeth can be arranged in various other ways such as, running continuously from one end of the shank 6 to the other with the teeth being spaced an ever increasing distance apart. Teeth sections 8 and 9 are bounded on their outermost ends by enlarged teeth In and II, respectively, which provide strengthening of the comb structure.

Integral with shank S'on the end thereof adjacent enlarged tooth II, is a horn-shaped, hooked tooth I2 whichv extends in a direction substantially opposite to that of teeth 8 and 9, and which, as is best shown in Fig. Ll, lies in the same plane as teeth 8 and 9. The exact conguration of the tooth I2 is not critical; it is, however, preferably hooked or curved in a direction toward the remaining end of shank 6.

Adverting now to Fig. 3, a comb including a shank portion I5 having a rat tail" IS integral therewith, is shown. Secured in the shank portion I5 are a plurality of evenly spaced teeth I'l bounded on either side by enlarged teeth I8 and I9. Integral with tooth I8 and shank I5, is a horn-shaped tooth 2li extending in a direction substantially opposite to that of teeth Il, and lying in the same plane with the teeth Il, as is best seen in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Such a comb may be preferable in certain instances as the "rat tail may be used for forming pin curls and in other hair dressing operations.

By reason of the invention, separating or sectioning of the hair is made considerably easier. Tangling of separated or sectioned strands of hair with the remainder, is prevented by reason of the fact that there is no adjacent structure which can engage unwanted strands of hair. Thus, strands of hair can be quickly separated with a minimum of effort. This is accomplished without impairing in any manner the function of the instrument as a comb. The hooked configuration of the tooth makes it easier to select the desired number of strands of hair, and to provide a proper balance between the number of strands in each curl subsequently produced. The fact that the separating tooth is mounted on the end of the comb renders the instrument more easily operated, and results in considerably less wasted motion when shifting from the normal use of the comb to the hair separating, or setting operation. No exchange of instruments is required after separating the hair in order to set the same. Further, parting of the hair, and

formation of a straight part with no intertan-i gling strands of hair is greatly facilitated.

Other modications and variations of the invention will obviously suggest themselves to one skilled in the art in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention covers all such modifications which are within the full intended scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An integral one-piece comb having a shank portion with an enlarged tooth at one end thereof and a plurality of integral substantially evenly spaced teeth extending along said shank portion on the same side as said enlarged tooth, and a hooked tooth integral with said one end of said shank portion and extending on the other side thereof in a direction substantially opposite to that of said enlarged tooth and forming a continuation of said enlarged tooth, said hooked tooth being curved toward the end of said shank portion opposite to said one end.

MARIO LUPO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the rlle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 104,186 Festner Apr. 20, 1937 2,526,128 Grant Oct. 17, 1950 

